Category Archives: Middle Grade Book Reviews

THE SMARTEST KID IN THE UNIVERSE

THE OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS: 12 year old Jake’s middle school is about to be shut down. Jake and his friends know their school’s worth saving-if they could only figure out how! When Jake spies a bowl of jellybeans at the hotel … Continue reading →

Posted in Middle Grade Book Reviews, New Release | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

THE DREADED CLIFF

Flora the packrat doesn’t understand why she’s supposed to avoid the cliff. An adventure leads her to the truth. Along the way surprises abound while encountering other animals: A kangaroo rat, porcupine. cottontail rabbit, great horned owl, and an intimidating … Continue reading →

Posted in Middle Grade Book Reviews | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

THE GIRL WHO STOLE AN ELEPHANT

Chaya, a nobleman’s rebellious, outspoken, no-nonsense daughter, just can’t resist the shiny temptations the king’s palace has to offer. But playing Robin Hood for her impoverished community doesn’t come without risks, and when Chaya steals the queen’s jewels from a … Continue reading →

Posted in Middle Grade Book Reviews | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments

SECRETS OF THE UNDER-UNDER WORLD: WATER

This new fantasy series features twelve-year-old Sam, a heroine who finds herself in an Alice in Wonderland type dilemma. She falls through a hole and ends up in a world underneath. Life hadn’t been that great to begin with—her parents … Continue reading →

Posted in Middle Grade Book Reviews | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

INTO THE WIND

A love of sailing connects 10-year-old Rusty with Hazel, a determined old lady in a wheel chair. It’s an unusual friendship but one they both need. For Hazel she longs to sail again, while Rusty misses his mother who is … Continue reading →

Posted in Middle Grade Book Reviews | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

KIDS vs. PLASTIC

Plastic is everywhere, but where it eventually ends up is a huge world problem. Unique solutions are being created by individuals. More often than not, it is our youth leading way in solving this crisis. National Geographic for the past … Continue reading →

Posted in Middle Grade Book Reviews, non fiction | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

UNICORN ISLAND

I’m always on the lookout for a great book that won’t discourage young readers from moving up to middle grade novels. Often they choose something too challenging with 400 pages and a typeset sure to make their eyes wander. Well, … Continue reading →

Posted in Middle Grade Book Reviews | Tagged , , | 22 Comments

OUR COUNTRY’S PRESIDENTS

Every four years National Geographic does an amazing job getting the newest volume of this iconic series out for readers. The proof comes toward the end with full coverage of the 2020 election and Inauguration that brought Joseph R. Biden … Continue reading →

Posted in Middle Grade Book Reviews, non fiction | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

KINGSTON and the Magician’s Lost and Found

The greatest Black magicians of the 19th and 20th centuries are likely ones you’ve never heard of before. One of the most prominent was Benjamin Rucker, better known in the day as Black Herman. He along with a few other … Continue reading →

Posted in Middle Grade Book Reviews | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

REBEL GIRLS LEAD—25 TALES OF POWERFUL WOMEN

Reach for new heights with Vice President Kamala Harris. Organize voter registration with Stacey Abrams. Spread messages of kindness with Lady Gaga. And captain a team of Olympic gymnasts with Aly Raisman. This collection of 25 stories includes the most … Continue reading →

Posted in Middle Grade Book Reviews, non fiction | Tagged , | 4 Comments